Bernard Berrian

Infobox NFLactive

---

caption=Bernard Berrian at the Vikings 2008 Training Camp.
currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=87
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|12|27
birthplace=Barcelona, Spain
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=185
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Chicago Bears
college=Fresno State
draftyear=2004
draftround=3
draftpick=78
pastteams=
* Chicago Bears (2004-2007)
* Minnesota Vikings (2008-Present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=150
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=2,197
statlabel3=Receiving TDs
statvalue3=13
nfl=BER454540

Bernard Berrian (born December 27, 1980 in Barcelona, Spain [ NFL players.com, [http://web.archive.org/web/20070614085856/http://nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=35742&section=qa Bernard Berrian #80] ] ) is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State.

Early years

Berrian was born in Spain, and grew up in California while both of his parents served at Castle Air Force Base. Bernard Berrian attended and played football for Atwater High School, in Atwater, California. Berrian actually lived in Winton, California.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected Berrian with the 78th pick in the 3rd round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Berrian spent a majority of his early years with the Bears as a back-up wide receiver and return specialist. His playtime increased during the 2005 Chicago Bears season, but an injury kept him sidelined for a portion of the season. Berrian returned to play during the Bears' NFC Divisional game against the Carolina Panthers, but eventually was forced to leave after sustaining an injury.

During the early half of the 2006 Chicago Bears season, Berrian emerged as one of the Bears' most productive receivers and sharpest deep-threat weapons. On November 5, 2006, Berrian suffered an injury to his ribs during a game against the Miami Dolphins. According to Berrian, he sustained the injury after hitting the ground during the very first play of the game. [ [http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/125578,CST-SPT-mside06.article Berrian out 2-4 weeks with rib injury] ] Berrian returned from the injury after missing only one game, but struggled at times. His surrogate, Mark Bradley, momentarily became the Bears' deep threat. Berrian finished the regular season as the Bears' second leading wide receiver, only a few catches behind team leader Muhsin Muhammad. [ [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi2006.htm 2006 Chicago Bears Statistics] ] .

During the 2006 playoffs, in the divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks, Berrian caught five passes for 105 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown pass. The Bears went on to win 27-24 in overtime. In the NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Berrian lead the Bears with five receptions for 85 yards. He also made a clutch, 33-yard diving touchdown reception behind a jumping Fred Thomas, giving the Bears an eleven point lead, which contributed to their 39-14 victory. [cite web|url= http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=Ah20Hvo9GZRY3X_tBs_RaFFDubYF?gid=20070121003| title= Super Bowl reshuffle: Bears back on top of NFCl] Well after the season's conclusion, the catch was named one of the Bears' top ten plays in 2006. [Chicagobears.com, [http://www.chicagobears.com/Top10Plays.asp Top 10 Plays of 2006] Retrieved on March 22, 2007]

Minnesota Vikings

On March 1, 2008 Berrian signed a six-year, $42 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings that included $16 million in guaranteed money.

Personal

* During a Monday Night Football appearances, Muhsin Muhammad revealed that Berrian's nickname is "B-Squared". However, in a latter interview with Fox News Chicago, Berrian stated his teammates also call him, "California Cool". [ [http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=2066986&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=6.1.1 MyFox Chicago | Bears Receiver Bernard Berrian on the Game] ] ChicagoBears.com's columnists and announcers also refer to Berrian as the "Silent Assassin".
* Berrian is a big fan of snakes. He owns a boa constrictor named Roscoe. [cite web|url= http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=2136349&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=6.1.1| title= Bernard Berrian: The Day After]

Career statistics

Regular season
* 150 Receptions
* 2,197 Receiving Yards
* 14.6 Yards Per Reception
* 13 Receiving touchdowns
* 385 Kick Return Yards
* 86 Punt Return Yards

References

External links

* [http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/berrian_bernard00.html Fresno State Bulldogs bio]
* [http://vikings.com/TeamPlayerProfile_bernard_berrian.aspx Minnesota Vikings bio]